The Battle Against Opioid Abuse: Signs Of Progress But Still An Epidemic

Over-prescription of painkillers is declining, and awareness seems to be helping, but the problem remains deadly, imposing huge costs on America's families

Philip Merrill

MusiCares

Aug 9, 2018 - 1:34 pm

On July 12 the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association published "The Opioid Epidemic in America: An Update," revealing a 0.3 percent drop in the 2017 rate of claims filed for opioid use disorder. Interviewed by Vox, Brandeis University's Andrew Kolodny said, "The decrease in new cases of opioid addiction is likely due to the trend in more cautious prescribing and greater public awareness of opioid risks."

While this limited good news is precious, deaths by overdose or Fentanyl contamination remain at record highs — America's opioid epidemic is still taking its toll in lost lives and the trauma that impacts survivors hurt by this tragedy-in-progress.

The BCBSA data support findings announced in April by the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, which found a 10 percent reduction in 2017 new prescriptions for opioids as well as close to a 100 percent increase in prescriptions for medications to reduce opioid addiction, such as buprenorphine. But tragedies still pile up on the fringes of this progress, as children taking buprenorphine intentionally or by accident have resulted in thousands of calls to emergency rooms. Staying safe is an ongoing challenge.

On April 4 the National Institutes of Health announced their launch of the HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative, with a budget of $1.1 billion for 2018 granted by Congress.

"Every day, more than 115 Americans die after overdosing on opioids," said NIH director, Dr. Francis S. Collins. "That is a four-fold increase since 2000, and the numbers continue to climb. … NIH has worked with stakeholders and experts across scientific disciplines and sectors to identify areas of opportunity for research to combat the opioid crisis. The focus of these discussions has centered on ways to reduce the over prescription of opioids, accelerate development of effective non-opioid therapies for pain, and provide more flexible options for treating opioid addiction. NIH is committed to bringing the full power of the biomedical research enterprise to bear on this crisis."

Once again, this is welcome good news, but these efforts are being made to diminish damage caused by an ongoing epidemic.

A June interview by the University of Michigan's wellness newsletter with its Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Dr. Jonathan D. Morrow surveyed the 11 important signs considered indicators for opioid use disorder. Many of these are familiar to those used to dealing with addiction — such as "continued opioid use despite related social or interpersonal problems" — but being alert to these signs of trouble is a critical part of increased awareness, and that is one aspect of the epidemic we can improve personally.

Once the line of overuse has been crossed, often by people in desperate circumstances, obligations begin to go by the wayside, continued use despite problems sets in, followed by withdrawing from social activities. The victims of overuse continue to dose themselves even in risky physical situations and despite related physical or psychological issues that can grow worse and need independent attention.

In these later stages, withdrawal symptoms can become acute and continue the drive to use more, while becoming accustomed to the substance's intake means larger amounts — ever larger amounts — are required to achieve the effect once accomplished by smaller doses.

"The drugs make the brain seek out more," said Morrow, "regardless of what the outcome of that drug use was."

While addiction and its treatment is always serious, with tragic risks only some of which can be avoided, opioid abuse is particularly deadly. More awareness can be the difference that helps people trapped in the dangerous cycle of abuse.

The Truth About Opioids: How To Turn The Tide On Addiction

Some of the most commonly prescribed pain medications can also be the most dangerous — before you begin, first get the facts about opioids

Nate Hertweck

MusiCares

Mar 29, 2018 - 1:04 pm

Understanding the purpose, dangers, and the side effects of any drug is critical before beginning treatment. Such as the case with opioids, a group of drugs commonly used to treat pain and relieve suffering. As these drugs become more and more commonly prescribed — and abused — it's important to arm yourself with a strong understanding of what they are, what they do, and how to manage their use before putting yourself at risk of addiction or overdose.

Mar 28, 2018 – 4:27 pm

Dave Navarro's Powerful Message Of Hope

According to a recent piece from Turn The Tide Rx, "Opioids are drugs that work by reducing the intensity of pain signals that reach your brain. These drugs can be helpful for a short time but they have serious risks. Up to 1 out of 4 people receiving long-term opioid therapy in a primary care setting struggles with addiction."

This alarming statistic warrants a closer look at the drugs themselves, and their alternatives, before beginning treatment. Commonly prescribed opioids include Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Codeine, Morphine, and Fentanyl, and while all of these can be an important part of pain treatment in some circumstances, their short-term benefits must be weighed against the lack of scientific evidence that opioids are the best prescription pathway to properly treat chronic pain.

The more serious risks of using opioids are addiction and overdose. Addiction to these drugs can destroy careers, families, and lives. Overdosing on opioids can even happen by accident due to their effect on the part of the brain that regulates breathing, especially when combined with alcohol or sedative medicines. These types of chemical mixtures are often present in fatal overdoses.

These drugs also come with dangerous side effects including nausea, vomiting, constipation, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, and increased sensitivity to pain.

Because of these dangers, many seek alternative pain treatments to opioids. And if you are prescribed opioids, you should be careful to manage your pain in a way that keeps you safe. Start with a low dosage and go slow, remembering to never take opioids in greater amounts than prescribed. Avoid taking opioids with alcohol or mixing with any other sedatives, muscle relaxers, sleeping pills or other prescription pain relievers. Be sure to follow up regularly with your doctor, especially if you are taking opioids long-term.

Most importantly, remember that help is only a phone call away. If you or someone you love is in danger of misusing or abusing opioids call your doctor immediately or contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's treatment help line at (800) 662-HELP. If you are a music person in need of help, please call MusiCares at (800) 687-4227.

It's no secret music can help patients get healthy, but now the arts are becoming part of prescribed medical treatment across the pond

Philip Merrill

MusiCares

Nov 15, 2018 - 9:39 am

The power of music can not only change moods, it can change lives — literally improving our health. And in the U.K., music and other arts are on the precipice of being prescribed by doctors as treatment for a variety of medical conditions.

"It's about moving from patient-centered care to person-centered care," said Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock. He is the British Member of Parliament responsible for its National Health Service and a champion of the new treatment concept of "social prescribing."

Hancock also represents the growing recognition that arts and culture have the potential to improve wellbeing and medical treatment. In a Nov. 6 speech at Britain's King's Fund think-tank, he also described plans in the works to create a National Academy for Social Prescribing.

"We've been fostering a culture that's popping pills and Prozac, when what we should be doing is more prevention and perspiration," said Hancock. "Social prescribing can help us combat over-medicalizing people."

Coming from a software background, Hancock was responding to data summarized at Smithsonian Magazine which shows prescribing activities such as dancing, singing and music can improve health outcomes while reducing medical costs when used in conjunction with a prescribing doctor's supervision and guidance.

The King's Fund health think-tank has previously advocated for social prescribing, and as evidence mounts and pilot programs succeed, it is hard to resist the economic sense behind prescribing enriching cultural activities on doctor's orders. Some critics are sensitive to cutbacks in overall funding and are particularly concerned that providers of appropriate services for dance, singing, music and other guidance are less likely to serve the underprivileged, or not be readily available in many low-income areas.

Many musicians and supporters of MusiCares have also been involved in how music helps recovery, notably from substance-abuse. While exactly how music for healing will be paid for is still to be determined, it should not seem like fantasy to both cut medical costs and help people get well by ensuring they are involved in activities that support healthier lifestyles. To see these approaches succeed on a larger scale — with a national academy of its own — should not remain a dream if the financial figures make sense.

For many medical sufferers, singing, music, dancing, and most of all expression can make a world of difference in staying fit, long-term. Social prescribing seems like a trend and an approach that is only beginning to prove itself for number-crunchers needing to ensure this reality has a positive impact on their ledgers.

Reprising their Person of the Year performance, the band is dedicating proceeds of the song to our organization's work

Philip Merrill

MusiCares

Oct 12, 2018 - 4:51 pm

The soundtrack for the 1996 movie She's The One featured an original soundtrack by the late Tom Petty, and its single "Walls (Circus)" carries on with its message that a big heart can only remain surrounded by a barricade for a limited time. Now the Lumineers have reprised the anthem, donating all proceeds to MusiCares for its work helping members of the music community in critical times of need.

Honored at the 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year gala for his charity work, Petty's own big heart and philanthropic generosity was the theme of the evening. The Lumineers performed "Walls" at the occasion — an unforgettable moment rendered more poignant by Petty's tragic death at 66 later that year.

"After we played, Petty told me how much he liked and appreciated the version, which was a great honor," lead vocalist Wesley Schultz told Rolling Stone. "This is our way of paying homage to him."

One year later the pain of losing Petty still feels fresh but so is the inspiration of his legacy, music that carries on making a difference in millions of lives. The Lumineers' generosity will also enrich many lives, for those coping with struggle and receiving assistance from MusiCares' many dedicated programs.

John Prine Gives Voice To The Personal Side Of The U.S. Opioid Epidemic

His haunting lyric "You don't have to be alone" takes on new meaning as his latest video encourages viewers to seek treatment — for themselves or their loved ones

Philip Merrill

MusiCares

Oct 2, 2018 - 4:17 pm

Life's ledger gives people cause for smiles and cause for tears, and both are on display in folk master John Prine's powerful music video for his song "Summer's End." It reminds us with its lyric "You don't have to be alone" that life is too precious not to reach out to people we know suffering from opioid addiction, whoever they are, even if that person is you.

On July 29, 2017 the fatal overdose of Max Barry hit home for many people including Prine . This past summer at Newport Folk Festival, Prine described to us how he brought the imagery in the lyrics of "Summer's End" to life, writing with his friend Pat McLaughlin. With imagery of a different kind, the simple words on screen — "Dedicated to Max" — at the conclusion of the music video are followed by others with healing, life-saving power.

The dedication is followed by, "If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse, please seek help by contacting SAMHSA's 24-hour national helpline: 1-800-662-4357." SAMHSA is the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Those words were followed by a few more that were personal for us, "If you are in the music community, MusiCares offers an Addiction Recovery Program: www. musicares.org."

Max's mother, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry said her family made the choice to be transparent about their son's cause of death. "There are lots of statistics out there," she said, "but when it happens to your own child, it's not a statistic."

In her grief, she reached out, hoping to encourage others to reach out too, saying, "All I know is if there is a parent or a friend out there, who is seeing something in their own child or a friend, to make sure that they are reaching out to them because that is going to be the best way to get them into treatment."

Whatever other options people might think can help this crisis, including law enforcement, Barry's focus for her city and as a survivor of Max's loss is the word "Treatment." She wished Nashville's own resources were more robust and insisted the law enforcement approach to drugs is no substitute for getting people to qualified help when they need it.

The album which hosts "Summer's End" is The Tree Of Forgiveness. Released in April 2018, it is Prine's first album of all original songs since 2005's GRAMMY-winning Fair & Square. By the end of that month, it had reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200, his highest charting album yet. With a lot to smile about, he's chosen to turn his success to encourage us to protect ourselves from the opioid tragedy which damages more lives than just the ones who are most apparently taken.

"Treatment" is more than just a powerful word. Your efforts to let others know they have a home in our hearts, even if they're otherwise homeless, can make all the difference. Treatment is a powerful reality and we have seen it and helped it save lives.

Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.